Inadequate management of bio-medical waste in Maharashtra: CAG

Representative imageMUMBAI: The enforcement of bio-medical waste management (BMW) rules in municipal corporations in Maharashtra was found to be inadequate in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2016. The CAG audited 22 health care establishments between 2011 and 2016.

Five HCEs at Nashik and Mumbai did not segregate BMWs as per the rules. Three HCEs in Nashik did not use blue/white translucent puncture proof containers. Instead, they used plastic bags. In two HCEs in Mumbai, sharp waste was mixed with incinerable waste, the CAG report found.

In three HCEs, BMW was stored near the patient’s bed. In 16 of the 22 HCEs, BMW containers were not labelled as per the procedure.

Of the 22 HCEs inspected, 20 operated without valid authorisation owing to delays from the MPCB, the CAG report said. Only 8 HCEs maintained a record of collection of BMW.

The inspection of hospitals and common facilities by the MPCB was also inadequate, the CAG report found. In fact it said that the advisory committee advising the government and MPCB on the implementation of BMW rules did not meet in 2011-16.

With immense pride “India Live” celebrated its 10th national conference in Mumbai from 28th February to 3rd March 2019. The conference turned out to be a gold mine of information, with emphasis on academics, education and exchange of knowledge with leaders in interventional cardiology from both India and abroad.